Jamestown

2017

4.0

6 reviews

Rating

Eligible

Season 1 episodes (8)

1 Episode 1

5/5/17

A ship from England arrives in 17th-century Virginia. Onboard is the new governor of Jamestown, Sir George Yeardley. He conveys revolutionary plans which will ignite a rebellious conflict within the settlement. With him arrive a group of women, destined to marry the beleaguered inhabitants of the colony. Among them are the sophisticated courtier Jocelyn, farm girl Alice Kett and streetwise Verity Bridges. They are faced with a hazardous wilderness and physical hardship, but they see the prospect of freedom and adventure. Some men are threatened by the impact the women have and look for ways to keep their authority and influence intact. Not everyone is preoccupied by them, though - Henry Sharrow sees significance in Yeardley’s arrival and an expedition upriver ends with a terrible accident and troubled consciences.

2 Episode 2

5/12/17

Farlow and Redwick’s disdain for the newly arrived women intensifies and they attempt to send them a powerful message. When a mysterious illness spreads around the town, they see an opportunity to exploit it and accusations of witchcraft are levied at the outspoken Verity. Away from Jamestown, Henry is not fit to return to the settlement, but finds solace in a nearby tribe. Meanwhile, Alice faces her own battle as the authorities attempt to dictate who she should marry. The domineering James Read stakes his claim but Alice’s heart belongs to another.

3 Episode 3

5/19/17

Pamunkey warriors descend upon Jamestown. When the settlers are roused, the natives flee but one man is captured: Chacrow. Jocelyn sees a way to advance her husband’s career and artfully engineers the return of the captive to his tribe, with Samuel as the governor’s right-hand man. Acutely aware of the influence Jocelyn is securing within the town, Farlow and Redwick formulate their own plan to humiliate Yeardley and Samuel. Elsewhere, a fragile Henry is being cared for by the Appomattuck tribe, where he meets a man who deserted Jamestown years ago. Davie McDurran now lives with the natives and he’s determined to discover what Henry was searching for out in the wilderness. While the men return Chacrow to his people, Jocelyn and Dr Priestly’s relationship takes a step that will prove hard for either of them to come back from. Plus, Opechancanough has some difficult questions for Yeardley which prove that relations between the natives and the settlers are fraught and dangerous.

4 Episode 4

5/26/17

Rumours of a goldmine map send suspicion around the settlement and Jocelyn persuades Samuel to help her discover whether Farlow has it. Meanwhile, Farlow and Redwick instruct a handsome young soldier to extract information from Jocelyn’s hapless maid, Mercy. Jocelyn’s incessant interference begins to annoy even Governor Yeardley, who takes his frustration out on James Read. Read, in turn, still smarting from Yeardley’s refusal to allow him to marry Alice, retaliates and finds himself interned for accosting the governor. When Jocelyn learns that Farlow and Redwick are spying on her, she finds a way to play them at their own game. As James Read faces a harsh penalty, Alice steps in to vindicate him. Jocelyn finally learns who possesses the map and Temperance, noting Jocelyn’s interest in such matters, gathers information about the precocious young woman from her cousin back in England. Meanwhile Henry and Davie decide to head towards the mountains in pursuit of the gold.

5 Episode 5

6/2/17

Alice suspects that James Read may have been involved in the death of the Sharrow’s livestock. Her accusation sends a vengeful Read out into the wilderness to determine what really happened to Henry. Governor Yeardley falls ill and Farlow is quick to seize power but Redwick sees an opportunity to turn the unruly militia against the governing elite. Jocelyn observes the political games that are being played and tries to force the invalid governor to take action, but Temperance has some damning information which soon deters Jocelyn from bothering Yeardley. However, the ailing governor soon leaves his sickbed in an attempt to prevent a complete descent into chaos.

6 Episode 6

6/9/17

Disillusioned with the leaders of the settlement, Verity finds herself susceptible to her old bad habits, requiring Meredith to be the more responsible of the pair for once. Everyone is intrigued by the news that Henry is still alive, and information is gathered and plans are formed as mistrust deepens. Alice cannot rest knowing that Henry is alive, so makes a challenging request of James Read. Meanwhile, Henry and Davie make a discovery that changes their relationship and alters the trajectory of their futures. When Jocelyn learns that Temperance is organising the upcoming St John’s Eve celebrations, she sees a way to ingratiate herself with her new adversary. But as the celebrations get under way, a devastating shadow is cast upon the proceedings.

7 Episode 7

6/16/17

Henry presents his riches to the town and finds himself with an array of new best friends. Alice tells the marshal and secretary about Henry’s attack but the men dismiss her brave confession as a calculated move now Henry is wealthy, so Alice takes matters into her own hands. Henry’s return also reignites questions about the gold map, Yeardley, Redwick and Farlow each try to secure access to Henry’s precious knowledge and Jocelyn flaunts her newly acquired power over Temperance. Silas returns to Jamestown and tries to find a way to bring his fractured family back together. Henry is proud of the prosperity his discovery could bring to the town and when a terrible accident threatens the life of a much-loved resident, he acts selflessly and finally begins to feel accepted within the town. But for how long?

8 Episode 8

6/23/17

A boat from England arrives, and Temperance gets hold of the letter that Jocelyn fears will contain details of her scandalous past. Meanwhile, Yeardley receives instructions from England heralding a political change that will affect everyone. Massinger finds a new way to torment the Sharrows but doesn’t account for the ingenuity of Alice. A petrified Jocelyn seeks comfort in the tavern and when a reckless abandon takes hold of her, she comes close to losing everything. Temperance has an awakening and the unsavoury behaviour of the men she has been so unquestionably devoted to forces her to seek a new ally. Redwick strikes a covert business deal which divides many in the town. As the farmers celebrate their summer harvest, a new chapter in Jamestown’s history is begun.

About this show

From the producers of Downton Abbey and writer Bill Gallagher comes Jamestown. This is the epic story of the first British settlers laying down the foundations for a New World and the start of the American dream. Jamestown is the tale of these pioneers as they establish a community whilst battling against the magnificent but inhospitable wilderness. 1619, Virginia. On what feels like the edge of the world sits the English colony of Jamestown. The settlement barely survived its first decade but is now on the brink of a new era with the arrival of Governor Sir George Yeardley. With him is a Charter granting land to the earliest male settlers in reward for their loyalty. He has also brought with him 90 women to 'make wives’. These women have been shipped over to encourage settlers to marry and ensure that the colony flourishes. Leaving behind a troubled past or searching for a better life, they join a settlement searching for its future. As this fledgling society evolves, we explore all that is good and ill about mankind, all set against the wild and beautiful backdrop of unspoilt Virginia.

Ratings and reviews

4.0

6 reviews

Paul Balfour

April 25, 2019

Great story and acting very addictive

Nikita George

September 9, 2019

Loved it

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